One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

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One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by hermit_crab_mommy » Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:23 pm

So I have three hermit crabs that I’ve had since July. My smallest one, Blue, came in a shell that looked to be about the right sized but he changed into a shell just a bit bigger. His shell, when he’s just walking around goes to right behind his eyes. My middle crab Ruby came in a shell way too big and it covered her eyes but she since changed into a shell with a smaller opening and it goes to same place as Blue’s - when she is just walking around it goes to right behind her eyes. Then there is my biggest crab Thunder. He came in a shell that was way too small. He couldn’t even go inside of it but he since changed into a bigger one. Even though it is much bigger than the old one, it doesn’t look big enough. While the other crabs shell goes to just behind their eyes, his shows the middle section of his body and although he can go into this one, his legs still stick out a bit. I know different crabs prefer different things but is it normal for his shell to not cover the front part of his body? And is it dangerous?

A few things to mention is he also will lay on his shell and climb out as much as he can while still inside and hold onto it, like he was about to get out but never does. Another thing to mention is that I have three crabs and about 30 extra shells in the tank. They are in a shell shop attached to the side of the tank with a piece of cholla and net to get into it. I’ve seen all my crabs up there so I know they can access it. Thunder has been in the shell shop more but leaves less than five minutes later (when I see him). I don’t know if he just likes his smaller shell and I’m overthinking or if something could be wrong.

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Sorry for the bad picture and it’s usually a tiny bit more than this. And I know it’s hard to see him good because I spilt calcium sand on the glass and don’t want to wipe it off until Ruby is out of molt (she’s right behind dish and I don’t want water to drip on her pile).
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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by JoeHermits » Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:34 pm

No, that’s normal. Some crabs just like ‘em snug.


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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by hermit_crab_mommy » Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:56 pm

JoeHermits wrote:No, that’s normal. Some crabs just like ‘em snug.


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Thank you! I was worried.
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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by Pumpkincrab » Tue Feb 23, 2021 11:26 am

JoeHermits wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:34 pm
No, that’s normal. Some crabs just like ‘em snug.


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Just like some like theirs big! :hlol:
Hi! Feel free to check out TheGourmetCrab here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGourmetCra ... ugg_market
Owner of 4 purple pincher hermit crabs in a 55g tank.

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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by crabbycasey » Tue Feb 23, 2021 6:57 pm

What a handsome little fella, love his coloring!


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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by hermit_crab_mommy » Tue Feb 23, 2021 8:25 pm

crabbycasey wrote:What a handsome little fella, love his coloring! Image


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I have 3 crabs with great coloring. He’s orange, ones purple, and ones a reddish brown with bright red legs!
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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by crabbycasey » Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:23 pm

Pictures! Lol


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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by hermit_crab_mommy » Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:33 pm

Image

RubyImage
Image
BlueImage


Image
ThunderImage
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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by crabbycasey » Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:42 pm

Oh wow, they are all beautiful! I’d never be able to tell Thunder and Blue apart...even their shell is the same! Lol


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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by hermit_crab_mommy » Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:47 pm

crabbycasey wrote:Oh wow, they are all beautiful! I’d never be able to tell Thunder and Blue apart...even their shell is the same! Lol


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When I first got them they couldn’t have been more different but after they each molted, they have about the same color and the exact same shell. The only difference is the size of their big pincher and even that is hard to go by.
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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by crabbycasey » Wed Feb 24, 2021 8:41 am

So cool how their colors change!


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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by Pumpkincrab » Wed Feb 24, 2021 11:12 am

crabbycasey wrote:
Wed Feb 24, 2021 8:41 am
So cool how their colors change! Image


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Speaking of that- Mango, Pine, and Koda (the crabs who I've currently been seeing up ) have BRAND new colors after their molt! Mango's a lot more vibrant, so is Pine and Koda has a really dark claw now. SOOOO cool!
Hi! Feel free to check out TheGourmetCrab here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGourmetCra ... ugg_market
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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by crabbycasey » Wed Feb 24, 2021 8:28 pm

Hey Pumpkincrab! Show us pictures! Lol, I’m such a sucker for these cute little things, lol.


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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by Pumpkincrab » Thu Feb 25, 2021 11:15 am

I will!! :D
Hi! Feel free to check out TheGourmetCrab here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGourmetCra ... ugg_market
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mool
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Re: One Crabs Shell Doesn’t Look Right

Post by mool » Wed May 05, 2021 2:18 pm

They looked so deflated and skinny when you first got them. Now they are nice a plump!

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